NGPA To Host Second Annual “Wings Over” Event in Florida to Reinforce Support for the Transgender Community
Ft. Lauderdale, FL., March 30, 2023 — This June, NGPA will return to Florida, its third largest membership state, for its annual “Wings Over” general aviation (GA) event. “Wings Over” events combine NGPA members’ love for GA and pride as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This event enables members and individuals within the LGBTQ+ community to network to establish meaningful peer connections amidst the recent and ongoing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights nationwide and beyond.
Current Executive Director Justin Ellixson-Andrews proclaims, “visibility is a key pillar to our [NGPA] advocacy initiatives. Whether in the flight deck, halls across corporate America, or seated next to you on a plane, members of the LGBTQ+ community deserve to live their lives without fear or shame. Since so many of our members call Florida home, we felt it was important to show our support of local pride by hosting this year’s event in direct defiance of bigoted leadership in Tallahassee.”
NGPA is taking a stand in solidarity with transgender and non-binary members in response to the recent surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the United States. The LGBTQ+ community needs to come together and support each other, especially during periods of increased discrimination and hostility.
The Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival is a fitting anchor for the event, as it commemorates the historic Stonewall riots that played a crucial role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the US. By participating in this event, NGPA members can show their support for the broader LGBTQ+ community and also help raise awareness of the ongoing struggles faced by transgender and non-binary individuals in particular.
“Queer presence in places of queer persecution is advocacy at its highest,” says NGPA’s former President, Brian Gambino. NGPA members and events add value to the community.
NGPA has included a supplier diversity commitment for its Wings Over Florida vendor and contractor agreements. By including this commitment, NGPA is taking steps to protect the interests of its members and promote a more inclusive and equitable society. In addition to from supporting local queer-owned and allied businesses, the NGPA will donate a portion of event ticket revenue to Trans SOCIAL, Inc.— a transgender-led Florida 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
“The Transgender and Non-Binary Support Committee stands united with all our members who call Florida home. Our commitment to hiring diverse, queer-owned, and queer-allied vendors and suppliers underscores our commitment to directing our resources back into the communities we are celebrating pride with. We are also incredibly proud to support both our members and the local queer community of South Florida through our contribution to TransSocial," says Transgender & Nonbinary Committee Co-Chairs Parker Morgan & Kori Necker.
The NGPA invites everyone who believes in an equal, authentic, and respected destination everywhere, to join them at the Wings Over Florida event. Click here for more information.
The NGPA is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. Founded in 1990, NGPA is an international organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) aviation professionals and enthusiasts. Our organization aims to encourage individuals to begin aviation careers, foster an environment of equality for LGBTQ+ aviators, promote safety, and establish personal and professional networks. The NGPA makes this a reality through education, outreach, and social events. Our organization is run by a board of directors, executive leadership, and volunteers! For more information, visit www.ngpa.org.
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